Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My big blood Daphne makes a hissing noise when I hold her and when she's exercising. Her temps and humidity are good, low/mid 80sF and 50-60% except during shed. It's not the regular blood python huff, you know when you surprise them and they want to make you think they're really big and scary. I've only noticed it when I hold her and when she's moving around or just breathing a little more heavily than normal.

I recently found out this kind of thing is relatively common in carpet pythons, so that and the fact that I've never seen Daphne show any signs like open-mouth breathing, nose bubbling, etc, make me think it's the same kind of deal. Just figured I'd ask the experts though, if you guys have had anything like this?
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Owen, who loves his snakes a lot.

Big hissing noise OK, wheezing, gurgling, clicking etc not ok!
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"It's my snake, I trained it, so I'm going to eat it!" - Mad Max, The Road Warrior

Owen,
Just my opinion, but I would raise your humidity just a little. Humidity levels between 60 and 70% seem to work best. I have noticed that when lower than this, bloods tend to get drier than normal, irritated lungs to the point that they make the noises you are describing. It is not an RI, but the irritation is not something you want either and it could stress them. I know that the bloods in my collection do this occasionally in the winter until I up the humidity slightly. This may possibly be what you are seeing.

Kelly

Okay, thanks. I'll up the humidity a little and see if that does anything.
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Owen, who loves his snakes a lot.